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The Dying Light

The new page-turning Matthew Venn mystery from the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Vera and Shetland series

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The Dying Light

By: Ann Cleeves
Narrated by: Jack Holden
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'Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible' – Richard Osman

The deadliest truths are those in the shadows . . .


Detective Matthew Venn is called in to investigate a puzzling death. The body of a young woman has been found in the swimming pool of Tide House, a luxurious holiday home in North Devon, and her best friend is missing. The property belongs to rising political star Paul Armstrong and the case quickly draws intense media scrutiny.

As a scorching heat wave rages and further tragedy strikes, Venn and his team begin questioning a community brimming with secrets. The dead woman and her friend had been spotted at a nearby music festival the day before, an event which brought locals and outsiders together – some of whom may have been more connected with the Armstrongs than first thought.

Caught between a powerful family’s secrets and a powder keg of local tensions, Venn must navigate a treacherous path. Knowing that the real answers lie not in what people say, but in the silence that they keep . . .

Detective Matthew Venn of The Raging Storm returns in the fourth novel in the Two Rivers series from Ann Cleeves, the number one bestselling author and creator of Vera and Shetland.

Praise for Ann Cleeves:

'Ann Cleeves is a stone-cold genius' – Marian Keyes
'Ann Cleeves routinely makes the difficult look easy' – David Baldacci
'The Queen of the detective novel, thrilling millions of readers' – Daily Express

©2026 Ann Cleeves (P)2026 Macmillan Publishers International Limited
Crime Thrillers Genre Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Small Town & Rural Thriller & Suspense Exciting
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Critic reviews

Ann Cleeves routinely makes the difficult look easy, and here the plot sails along with purpose and gravitas, the characters shine and manipulate, and the prose is as first-rate as ever. Whatever Cleeves comes up with next, I will be reading it. And so should you. (David Baldacci)
An absorbing and cleverly misleading mystery
Detective Matthew Venn and his team uncover a case filled with political tensions, local divisions and plenty of twists
Everything Ann Cleeves writes is incredible (Richard Osman, author of The Thursday Murder Club)
Ann Cleeves is a stone-cold genius (Marian Keyes, author of My Favourite Mistake)
The Queen of the detective novel, thrilling millions of readers
One of the best natural writers of detective fiction
Another fine murder mystery which leaves the reader guessing until the final, surprising twist when the killer is revealed
All stars
Most relevant
Thoroughly enjoyable
Murder mystery in this excellent series. The characters are well created and believable and the mystery held well to the end.

Another great Ann Cleeves murder mystery

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I loved the characters and the plotting. The places and people feel realistic and authentic, Jack Holden does the voices so well no screech y women. The police team and characters from previous books are familiar and well developed.

Anne Cleeves never fails to draw you in

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As you’d expect from this series, there’s twists and turns at the end of every country lane. Jack Holden’s narration is as brilliant as ever and keeps the plot moving. 2 girls found dead, wealthy and influential parents, throw in some young guys infatuated, a fabulous local pub and unlikely owners, and a local farm……. Oh and a couple of Americans who increasingly look like it’s them

Jack Holden brings the story to life

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Loved it . An amazing book. Reading was superb too . I raced through it , now I am so sorry to have finished it .

Absolutely Fabulous !

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In this book we gain more insights into the characters their relationships the dynamics in the team and Matthew ‘s more assured leadership. The investigation is complex, absorbing and ultimately heart rending. You want to know the conclusion but you don’t want it to end! Can’t wait for the next one!!

Could not stop listening !

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